Written By: Reagan Metzger, Staff Writer
SENIOR: Miguel Buan has lived these past four years to the fullest, becoming an undeniably fun-loving presence on campus.
Miguel Buan has spent his last four years at Riverside Poly High School as a bear who wears the colors of orange and green with great pride. Known by his friends as “Miggie,” he is recognized for his uplifting personality and sincere care for those around him. It doesn’t matter to Miguel if you are a friend or someone he just met, Miguel seizes every opportunity to make you feel valued and seen. High school is one of the most trying times for anyone, and despite his constant participation and numerous achievements, Miguel makes it all look easy!
He has been a part of various Poly programs including, varsity swim, water polo, link crew, honors society, but he remarked that the most rewarding activity of all was Bear Pals. Riverside Poly High fosters one of the best special education programs in all of California. Students at Poly have created the club, ‘Bear Pals’ to establish relationships with students as a part of said program. Those involved spend their time dancing, talking, eating, and enjoying the company of one another at their club meetings and events. Of course, many can agree that the program goes so much deeper than Friday lunchtime dance parties. Miguel believes that being a part of ‘Bear Pals’ was his favorite activity at Poly for he “truly learned what unconditional love meant,” by learning to “accept others.” Those integrated with the Bear Pals program know that these core values are what drives the sense of connection that many students have with special education students. To be loved is to be seen and Miguel always made it a point to help everyone feel appreciated, even those special education students who often are undervalued. One prime example of this stems from one of Miguel’s favorite memories from the program. He recalls a time where his friend, Darren, invited him to dance to the song “Baby” by Justin Beiber. Miguel claims that “ever since that day, I love to put myself out there and dance!”
Miguel is best remembered for his fun and exciting spirit which never goes unnoticed, regardless of of setting. His ability to be everywhere all the time is astonishing to many of his friends and peers who envy his drive and motivation. His advice to any student who wants to get involved in the Poly community is to “put yourself in everything you don’t want to do because that is where you find the things you truly love.” As ironic as it sounds, Miguel spent his time at Poly branching out and putting himself in places where he normally wouldn’t have found himself. He assures that all of this was only possible through the constant love and support he received from his mom. Tasks that may seem unimportant to many were actually things that Miguel valued most throughout long days of school. He feels that he will never be able to repay her for all the times she “made me lunch…bought me things…did my laundry… and so much more.” He is aware that he has learned so much from her actions in which he hopes to take those lessons with him towards his future.
Miguel will begin school at UCLA in the fall of 2024 studying biopsychology. He has a keen interest in understanding and helping those who have intellectual disabilities, but also so much love for all those who are part of the special needs community. “It is important to raise awareness for it because they aren’t included all the time,” he stated. Miguel plans to further his education in hopes to provide a better future for all who have developmental disabilities.
His final words of inspiration to all Poly students is to take it all “one step at a time.” Miguel put much effort into truly living out his high school experience and enjoying the aspects that sometimes weren’t so great. At the end of the day, high school is what YOU make of it. Take the time to enjoy these moments. It feels as though it was just yesterday that the class of 2024 were freshmen and now it is time for them to take on the world. Any student like Miguel Buan will have no problem making us proud in the future, just as he has done already.